Apple TV+ will be bringing Mick Herron’s acclaimed British spy novels to life with the help of Academy Award-winning actor Gary Oldman. The “Slough House” TV series will be named after the first book in the franchise, “Slow Horses.”

The news comes out of Variety, which revealed Oldman’s casting as the titular Jackson Lamb and the ways in which Apple TV+ intends on integrating the adapted “Slough House” novels into their broadening lineup. The spy drama will also feature Graham Yost of “Justified” showrunner fame and “Veep” writer Will Smith, both of whom will serve as executive producers.

Herron’s “Slough House” book series follows the MI5 spy leader Lamb and his cohorts under the literal slough house, a kind of limbo for British agents who have blown their cover or messed up on any number of assignments. The first book, “Slow Horses,” examines a conspicuous kidnapping involving a disgraced journalist, a potential internet beheading, and a victim who may not be who he claims to be.

As Disney+ goes online, Apple must curate a network of content in order to combat not only the house of mouse, but so too Netflix, HBO Max, and even NBC’s upcoming Peacock streaming service. In order to do this without buying into unpromising movies or shows, Apple has tapped into said “Slow Horses” series, as well as “Game of Thrones” executives, to bring online original content as never seen before.

It’s far too early to tell which streaming platform will come out on top, though it is clear that Apple is taking a fair shot at toppling the current highest contender, Netflix. And with its newfound “Slough House” TV series, the service might be on the right track, especially having landed Oldman. The 61-year-old English actor has rarely ever graced television, aside from his Emmy-nominated guest appearance on “Friends.”

With six novels in the series, in addition to two novellas, Apple TV’s “Slow Horses” already has a steady flow of content attainable for the next several years.

46 Gary Oldman - Getty Images
In the 2001 sequel to The Silence of the Lambs, Oldman played Mason Verger, who’s been left with only tiny sockets where his eyes, nose and mouth used to be. (Makeup artist Greg Cannom based Verger's appearance on a fetus.)Oldman, who also transformed himself in Darkest Hour and Dracula, went uncredited in Hannibal to preserve the mystery behind the character. Getty Images
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